Somnium Starts US Shipping of VR1 PC Headset, Plans Price Increase

Somnium Space, known for its innovative social platform and based out of Prague, Czech Republic, is making waves in the U.S. market with the launch of its PC VR headset, the Somnium VR1. As part of this move, they’ve streamlined their headset lineup to three consumer-oriented versions and announced upcoming price hikes for their high-end models.

Gone are the days of multiple configurations like the Striker, Classic, Specter, and Translucent Editions. The company has officially stopped offering these versions. Previously, the Classic Edition served as the entry-level option, costing around €1,900 (approximately $1,980 USD), but it did not feature eye-tracking technology. Now, the most affordable model they offer is the Visionary Edition, which includes eye-tracking for €2,499 (around $2,600 USD). It’s worth noting that these prices exclude local taxes.

If you’ve previously purchased one of the discontinued models, don’t fret. Somnium Space assures that these orders are safe and will be delivered as expected. On the upside, owning one of these models might just make your headset more unique and exclusive.

Why the change? The company explains that this new approach allows them to concentrate on delivering the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions more swiftly and efficiently, all while maintaining their high-quality standards.

In addition to restructuring their product lineup, Somnium Space is also adjusting the prices of their Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions, although the specifics haven’t been disclosed yet. Current pricing remains the same until January 16, 2025, after which new prices will take effect.

Here’s a glimpse at the current lineup and their prices (excluding taxes):

• Visionary Edition (VR, eye-tracking): €2,499 (~$2,600 USD)
• Titan Edition (VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking): €2,899 (~$3,020 USD)
• Ultimate Edition (VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, MR passthrough): €3,499 (~$3,659 USD)
• Military Edition (VR, eye-tracking, hand-tracking, MR passthrough): Price to be announced

Somnium Space emphasizes that while they aim to keep the Somnium VR1 accessible, quality remains their top priority. The complex manufacturing process has driven the decision to raise prices on the Visionary, Ultimate, and Titan Editions.

Orders placed today are anticipated to be delivered between February and March 2025, with shipping available in most of Europe, the UK, and the U.S. Looking ahead, Somnium Space plans to sell spare parts for the Somnium VR1, covering components such as optical modules, main boards, cables, and screens.

For those craving more detailed insights, we recommend checking out our hands-on review from July 2024 for an in-depth look at the Somnium VR1’s capabilities.

Somnium VR1 Specifications

• Display: QLED Mini-Led Fast LCD – 2,880 × 2,880 per eye
• Field of View: 130° horizontal, 105° vertical, with the capability to render up to 140° horizontally, depending on facial and ocular features
• Refresh Rate: 72 Hz, 90 Hz, with potential upgrades to 120 and 144 Hz in an experimental phase
• Local Dimming Zones: 576 per eye
• Eye Tracking: 120 Hz, featuring an open-source algorithm for versatile usage
• Connectivity: USB-C, DisplayPort 1.4, 3.5mm audio jack
• IPD Range: 57 to 76 mm

The future looks bright for Somnium Space as they continue to innovate and cater to the growing demand for high-quality VR experiences.